Reserve Protection November 2017

Changes to Defence Reserve Service Protection Act

ADF Reservists now have an unprecedented level of protection while absent from their civilian workplace or educational institution to undertake military service.

The improved protections exist in changes to the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 which took effect on November 27.

As part of these amendments to the Act all ADF Reserve service will now be protected to give greater certainty about Reserve members’ rights when they are absent from their employment or academic studies to undertake ADF service.

Other changes will ensure Reservists are better protected with a new anti-harassment provision, and extended protections against discrimination in partnerships. The new education protections create an obligation on education providers to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate Reserve service.